Earnings Release • Nov 3, 2016
Earnings Release
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Paris La Défense, 3 November 2016: The Vicat group (Euronext Paris: FR0000031775 – VCT) today reported its nine-month 2016 sales, which came to €1,867 million, up +3.4% at constant scope and exchange rates compared with the same period of the previous year. On a reported basis, the Group's sales fell -0.9% compared with the same period of 2015. In the third quarter, sales grew +1.7% at constant scope and exchange rates and contracted -1.7% on a reported basis.
Consolidated sales by business segment:
| Nine (€ million) months 2016 |
Nine months 2015 |
Change (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reported | At constant scope and exchange rates* |
||||
| Cement | 951 | 978 | -2.8% | +4.1% | |
| Concrete & | 680 | 666 | +2.2% | +3.9% | |
| Aggregates Other Products 236 & Services |
240 | -1.7% | -0.5% | ||
| Total | 1,867 | 1,883 | -0.9% | +3.4% |
Commenting on these figures, the Group's Chairman and CEO said: "Over the first nine months of the year, our sales performance at constant scope and exchange rates was solid. On a reported basis, the negative impact of currency effects was particularly strong. Excluding currency effects, our sales during the period were boosted by further growth in the United States, improvement in the French market, and a rebound in the markets in India, Egypt and Kazakhstan. In Turkey, business trends remained brisk in spite of recent events. In West Africa, the strong performance recorded in Senegal helped to partly offset the decline in Mauritania. Lastly, the temporary slowdown in our business in Switzerland held back the Europe (excluding France) region. Against this backdrop, Vicat continues to pursue its strategy and remains focused on its objectives of maximizing its cash flow and reducing its debt."
* A definition of the alternative performance measures (APMs), such as "at constant scope and exchange rates", "operational sales", "EBITDA", "net debt", "gearing" and "leverage" is provided in the appendix to this press release.
VICAT INVESTOR CONTACTS:
STÉPHANE BISSEUIL TEL. +33 (0)1 58 86 86 13 [email protected]
VICAT PRESS CONTACTS:
MARION GUERIN
TEL. +33 (0)1 58 86 86 26 [email protected]
HEAD OFFICE:
TOUR MANHATTAN 6 PLACE DE L'IRIS F-92095 PARIS - LA DEFENSE CEDEX TEL.: +33 (0)1 58 86 86 86 FAX: +33 (0)1 58 86 87 88
A FRENCH REGISTERED COMPANY WITH SHARE CAPITAL OF €179,600,000 EU VAT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: FR 92 - 057 505 539 RCS NANTERRE
Consolidated sales in the first nine months of 2016 came to €1,867 million, representing a decrease of -0.9% on a reported basis and an increase of +3.4% at constant scope and exchange rates compared with the same period of 2015. Operational sales fell back -0.3% on a reported basis, but rose +3.8% at constant scope and exchange rates.
Analysed by business segment, operational sales at constant scope and exchange rates show:
An analysis of operational sales on a reported basis generated by the Group's various businesses shows a very small decrease in the contribution from Cement, which stood at 53.1% of operational sales, down from 53.9% in the first nine months of 2015. Concrete & Aggregates contributed 32.6% of operational sales, compared with 31.8% in the first nine months of 2015. Lastly, the contribution from Other Products & Services remained stable at 14.3% of operational sales.
In the third quarter of 2016, consolidated sales totalled €629 million, up +1.7% at constant scope and exchange rates, but down -1.7% on a reported basis compared with the same period of 2015.
Third-quarter operational sales also advanced +1.3% at constant scope and exchange rates compared with the same period of 2015, but declined -1.9% on a reported basis.
Analysed by business segment, this overall trend at constant scope and exchange rates reflects:
In this press release, and unless indicated otherwise, all changes are calculated based on the first nine months of 2016 by comparison with the first nine months of 2015 and are stated at constant scope and exchange rates.
| Nine (€ million) months 2016 |
Nine | Change (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| months 2015 |
Reported | At constant scope |
||
| Consolidated sales |
604 | 581 | +4.0% | +4.0% |
Consolidated sales recorded in France in the nine months to 30 September 2016 totalled €604 million. They grew +4.0% at constant scope, reflecting the gradual improvement in economic and industry conditions. After the very strong improvement in the first quarter (+8.9%) owing to supportive weather conditions, and a very small increase in the second quarter (+0.9%) despite the unsettled labour climate in France and less favourable weather conditions, consolidated sales came to €199 million, representing an increase of +3.1% in the third quarter.
| Nine | Change (%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | months 2016 |
Nine-months 2015 |
Reporte d |
At constant scope and exchange rates |
|
| Consolidated sales |
310 | 328 | -5.5% | -2.8% |
Nine-month 2016 sales in Europe excluding France contracted -5.5% on a reported basis and -2.8% at constant scope and exchange rates compared with the same period of 2015. During the third quarter, sales came to €112 million, down -6.5% at constant scope and exchange rates (-8.0% on a reported basis).
In Switzerland, the Group's consolidated sales over the first nine months of 2016 declined -3.0% at constant scope and exchange rates (-5.8% on a reported basis). The Group's sales performance in Switzerland was held back by the end of deliveries to a number of large projects and lower average selling prices as a result of the fiercer competitive pressures in the second half of 2015. Consolidated sales in the third quarter declined -6.4% at constant scope and exchange rates (-8.0% on a reported basis).
market prices in Aggregates were supported by brisk trends in the "landfill" business.
In Italy, consolidated sales rose +2.8% owing to growth in sales volumes of over +4% in a domestic market still marked by tough macroeconomic and industry conditions. Selling prices headed lower over the period.
Consolidated sales in Italy moved down -7.9% in the third quarter owing to a contraction of close to -7% in volumes delivered over the period. Selling prices were again lower than in the third quarter of 2015, but moved higher on a sequential basis (by comparison with the second quarter of 2016).
| Nine | Nine | Change (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | months 2016 |
months 2015 |
Reported | At constant scope and exchange rates |
| Consolidated sales |
276 | 260 | +5.8% | +6.0% |
Business in the United States maintained its growth momentum in a still upbeat macroeconomic environment that was supportive for the construction sector. Against this backdrop, in spite of highly unfavourable weather conditions since the beginning of the year in California, the Group's consolidated sales moved up +6.0% at constant scope and exchange rates (+5.8% on a reported basis).
In the third quarter, the Group's business remained firm. Its consolidated sales totalled €100 million, up +3.1% at constant scope and exchange rates (+2.7% on a reported basis).
to offset entirely the decline of close to -8% in California. All in all, volumes contracted by over -2% during the quarter, while prices continued to firm up.
| Nine-months 2016 |
Change (%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | Nine-months 2015 |
Reported | At constant scope and exchange rates |
||
| Consolidated sales |
407 | 442 | -7.9% | +5.1% |
Sales across Asia as a whole came to €407 million in the first nine months of 2016, rising +5.1% at constant scope and exchange rates, but declining -7.9% on a reported basis.
Third-quarter consolidated sales in the region totalled €139 million, down -1.4% at constant scope and exchange rates (-11.2% on a reported basis).
In Turkey, consolidated sales came to €164 million, up +5.1% at constant scope and exchange rates, but down -4.8% on a reported basis. In the third quarter, sales decreased -6.9% at constant scope and exchange rates (-10.0% on a reported basis) amid a macroeconomic and industry environment disrupted by the political events over the period.
basis). Consolidated sales also grew +12.6% at constant scope and exchange rates (+2.0% on a reported basis). Over the first half as a whole, volumes rose in Concrete and in Aggregates, as the momentum of the Ankara market offset the decline recorded in the Konya region. In this environment, despite fiercer competition in the Konya market, selling prices remained quasi-stable in Concrete and moved higher in Aggregates.
o Operational sales recorded by the business in the third quarter dropped -4.8% at constant scope and exchange rates (-7.5% on a reported basis). Consolidated sales fell -6.8% at constant scope and exchange rates (-9.3% on a reported basis). As in Cement, this business was affected by political events and the related delays to certain projects during the period, and the increase in volumes in the Ankara market was not sufficient to offset the contraction in the Konya region. As a result, selling prices edged slightly lower in Concrete but picked up slightly in Aggregates.
In India, the Group posted consolidated sales of €205 million in the first nine months of 2016, up +5.2% at constant scope and exchange rates (-0.5% on a reported basis). This performance was driven by strong volume growth over the period of close to +21%, with almost 3.7 million tonnes sold. This reflected the strategy implemented by the Group since year-end 2015 of seizing opportunities arising as the macroeconomic and industry environment improves, with a number of major projects starting up. Selling prices fell away sharply owing to fiercer competition at the beginning of the year and a far less favourable geographical mix.
In the third quarter, consolidated sales in India fell -1.9% at constant scope and exchange rates (-4.9% on a reported basis). This slight contraction reflected slower volume growth by comparison with previous quarters. Nonetheless, but nevertheless at close to +8%. Selling prices improved gradually over the period, recording a sequential increase (compared with the second quarter of 2016), while remaining below the levels seen in the same period of 2015. Against this backdrop, the Group decided to prioritise selling price increases over higher delivery volumes.
In Kazakhstan, the Group posted consolidated sales of €38 million, up +5.0% at constant scope and exchange rates. On a reported basis, sales sank -40.2% on account of the very steep devaluation in the Kazakhstani tenge in the second half of 2015. Volumes rose close to +4% and selling prices moved higher throughout the period.
Consolidated sales generated in Kazakhstan in the third quarter rose +13.0% at constant scope and exchange rates (-30.8% on a reported basis). This solid business growth was due to significant volume growth (close to +7%) and by a clear rebound in selling prices.
| Nine | Nine | Change (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | months months 2016 2015 |
Reported | At constant scope and exchange rates |
|
| Consolidated sales |
271 | 272 | -0.6% | +4.6% |
In the Africa and Middle East region, consolidated sales came to €271 million, up +4.6% at constant scope and exchange rates and almost stable (-0.6%) on a reported basis. The Group's performance in the region was characterized by a healthy top-line increase in Egypt, which completely offset the impact of weaker sales in West Africa. Consolidated sales during the third quarter in the region came to €80 million, representing an increase of +16.7% at constant scope and exchange rates (+10.2% on a reported basis). The Group reaped the benefit during the period of firmer trends in West Africa and a clear pick-up in business in Egypt.
| Nine | Nine-months | Change (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | months 2015 2016 |
Reported | At constant scope and exchange rates |
||
| Volume (thousands of |
16,637 | 15,127 | +10.0% | ||
| Operational sales |
1,136 | 1,157 | -1.9% | +4.2% | |
| Eliminations | (184) | (179) | |||
| Consolidated sales |
951 | 978 | -2.8% | +4.1% |
Operational sales in the Cement business fell -1.9% on a reported basis, but rose +4.2% at constant scope and exchange rates. Volumes posted strong growth of +10.0% over the period. During the third quarter, operational sales came to €375 million, representing a decline of -2.6% on a reported basis, but an increase of +2.7% at constant scope and exchange rates. Third-quarter cement volumes grew +5.9%.
| Change (%) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | Nine months 2016 |
Nine months 2015 |
Reported | At constant scope and exchange rates |
|
| Concrete volumes (thousands of m3 ) |
6,564 | 6,258 | +4.9% | ||
| Aggregates volumes (thousands of tonnes) |
16,320 | 15,430 | +5.8% | ||
| Operational sales | 698 | 682 | +2.3% | +4.1% | |
| Eliminations | (18) | (16) | |||
| Consolidated sales | 680 | 666 | +2.2% | +3.9% |
The Concrete & Aggregates business recorded operational sales up +2.3% on a reported basis and up +4.1% at constant scope and exchange rates. Delivery volumes rose +4.9% in Concrete and +5.8% in Aggregates. In the third quarter, operational sales came to €242 million, stable compared with the third quarter of 2015 (+0.2% on a reported basis and +0.9% at constant scope and exchange rates). Volumes were down in Concrete (-1.1%) and stable (-0.1%) in Aggregates.
| Nine | Nine | Change (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | months 2016 |
months 2015 |
Report ed |
At constant scope and exchange rates |
|
| Operational sales | 306 | 306 | -0.1% | +1.6% | |
| Eliminations | (75) | (66) | |||
| Consolidated sales |
236 | 240 | -1.7% | -0.5% |
The operational sales recorded by the Other Products & Services division were quasistable (-0.1%) on a reported basis and rose +1.6% at constant scope and exchange rates. In the third quarter, operational sales declined -3.9% or -3.0% at constant scope and exchange rates to reach €105 million.
Vicat's financial position remains very healthy.
Gearing (net debt/equity) stood at 40.0% at 30 September 2016, versus 43.8% at 30 September 2015.
Its leverage ratio (net debt/EBITDA) was 2.18x at 30 September 2016 vs. 2.44x at 30 September 2015.
Bank covenants do not pose a threat to either the Group's financial position or its balance sheet liquidity. Vicat meets all the ratios laid down in the covenants stipulated in the financing agreements.
In 2016, the Group expects a progression in performance, capitalizing on an activity increase at constant scope and exchange rates on its main markets and an improvement in its industrial performance, due notably to globally lower energy costs.
On this basis, the Group expects, at constant rates, a tangible improvement in its EBITDA. In light of the strong negative impact of exchange rate variations this year, notably the Kazakh tenge, the Turkish pound, the Egyptian pound, devalued by -14% early in the year and devalued by around -48% today, the Indian Rupee and, to a lesser extent, the Swiss franc, EBITDA on a reported basis should improve slightly year-on-year.
In this context, the Group should be in a position to confirm in 2016 the success of its policy of optimizing cash flows and reducing its level of debt.
In the next few weeks, the Group will publish its full reporting schedule for 2017. Please note that the Group will now report its full-year sales and results at the same time.
Therefore its 2016 sales and results will be released on 27 February 2017 after the market close.
To accompany the publication of its nine-month 2016 sales, the Vicat group is organising a conference call in English that will take place on Friday 4 November 2016 at 3pm Paris time (2pm London time and 9am New York time). To take part in the conference call live, dial one of the following numbers:
| France: | +33 (0)1 76 77 22 57 |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom: | +44 (0) 20 7026 5967 |
| United States: | +1 719 325 4746 |
To listen to a playback of the conference call, which will be available until 9 November 2016, dial one of the following numbers:
| France: | +33 (0) 1 70 48 00 94 |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom: | +44 (0)20 7984 7568 |
| United States: | +1 719 457 0820 |
| Access code: | 2835190# |
2016 sales and results on 27 February 2017 after the market close.
Stéphane Bisseuil: Tel.: +33 (0) 1 58 86 86 14 [email protected]
Marion Guérin: Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 86 86 26 [email protected]
The Vicat Group has close to 7,900 employees working in three core divisions, Cement, Concrete & Aggregates and Other Products & Services, which generated consolidated sales of €2,458 million in 2015. The Group operates in eleven countries: France, Switzerland, Italy, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Kazakhstan and India. Over 68% of its sales are generated outside France.
The Vicat Group is the heir to an industrial tradition dating back to 1817, when Louis Vicat invented artificial cement. Founded in 1853, the Vicat Group now operates three core lines of business: Cement, Ready-Mixed Concrete and Aggregates, as well as related activities.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets. These statements are by their nature subject to risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's annual report available on its website (www.vicat.fr). These statements do not reflect the future performance of the Company, which may differ significantly. The Company does not undertake to provide updates of these statements.
Further information about Vicat is available from its website www.vicat.fr.
| Cement | Concrete & Aggregates |
Other Products & Services |
Inter segment eliminations |
Consolidated sales |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 265 | 286 | 186 | (134) | 604 |
| Europe (excluding France) |
123 | 135 | 93 | (41) | 310 |
| United States | 144 | 178 | - | (47) | 276 |
| Asia | 354 | 78 | 27 | (52) | 407 |
| Africa and Middle East |
250 | 21 | - | - | 271 |
| Operational sales | 1,136 | 698 | 306 | (274) | 1,867 |
| Inter-segment eliminations |
(185) | (18) | (71) | 274 | |
| Consolidated sales | 951 | 680 | 236 | - | 1,867 |
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